Dress-suit case.



PATENTED APR. 4, 1905.

I H. A. PIKE.

DRESS SUIT cAsB. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. 1902.

'II'IIIII IUNITED STATES Patented April 4, 1905.

HARVEY A. PIKE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DRESS-SUIT CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 786,312, dated April 4, 1905. Application filed February 21,1902. Serial No. 95,112.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARVEY A. PIKE, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Dress-Suit Cases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to bags or luggage-carriers; and it consists of certain improvements in that class of bags known as dress-suit cases.

Although my invention has been designed particularly for use in connection with dresssuit cases, it is applicable to most forms of bags having a rectangular contour.

My invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bag forming the subject of my invention, showing the same in an open condition. Fig. Qis a sectional view of the bag, taken on the line a a, Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 6 Z), Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the covers of the case, illustrating clearly the character of the pocket carried thereby. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating a detail of my inven tion, on a slightly-enlarged scale. Fig. 7 is a view in elevation of a part of my invention similar to the parts illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged views illustrating a further detail of my invention, and Fig. 10 is a view of a key for use in connection with my improved dress-suit case.

The object of my invention is to provide a bag of the character known as a dress-suit case with two compartments, such bag having double covers, as shown, and to divide the compartments I provide an adjustable diaphragm. If at any time there will be no necessity of using both compartments, this diaphragm may be disposed at either side of the case at will, and hence will not be in the way.

As will be readily understood, my improved case is particularly applicable for use by traveling salesmen and the traveling public in general, as it enables the user to pack clean linen and other clean wearing-apparel and necesstance it may be covered with leather, cloth,

papier-mach, or other suitable material.

Hinged to one side of the central section or casing at 3 is the cover 4, and hinged to the other side of the casing at 3* is the cover A". Each of these covers is provided with the flaps 5, which are secured to hinge-sections 6, carried by the covers, which flaps serve to hold in place laundered shirts or other flat articles of wearing-apparel. To secure these inclosures together, I provide the strings 7. The central section or casing is preferably formed with a rib 8 to add strength to the same.

IVithin the casing 1 I locate the diaphragm or movable partition 10, approximately fitting said casing, but free to be moved up and down in the same when said casing is laid upon its largest surface. To support the said diaphragm in any desired position,I provide posts or rods 11, arranged at each corner of the centralcasing 1, which rods are preferably mounted at each end in suitable bearings 12, carried by said casing. These rods carry on one side a series of teeth 13, which are preferably offset froma line drawn through the bearings, so as to be eccentric thereto. The diaphragm is provided with oblong apertures for the reception of these rods, and when the teeth of said rods are in line with the long side of said apertures the diaphragm or partition may be readily moved upon the same. When said rods are moved in the opposite direction, the teeth will engage the edge of the diaphragm and hold it in any predetermined position. The ends of these rods and the bearing-pieces 12 are recessed at 15 for the reception of a key 16, which I have indicated in Fig 10, and which may also carry at the opposite end the usual key 17 for the bag.

The casing is provided with the locks 18 for securing the covers thereto, and a series of catches 19 are also provided for additional securing means.

In lieu of such a structure as this and taking the place of the rods 11 I may provide corrugated spring members 20, secured to the corners of the bag. The diaphragm may be freely moved past the corrugations of these pieces, which will have sufiicient spring to hold said diaphragm when in its adjusted position.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated another form of rod to hold the diaphragm. In this instance a rod 11, similar to the one shown in Fig. 5, is provided, and back of this rod are the spring members 21. This rod may be detached from its engagement with the diaphragm by pressing it outwardly with. the hand, and when this is done said diaphragm may be adjusted at will. When these rods 11" are released by the hand, the springs will force them into engagement with the diaphragm.

With the rods 11 I use the end members or bearings 12, which are clearly shown in Figs. 1, 5, 8, and 9. These members serve as distance-pieces for the rod, and they are shrunk onto the ends of the rods, being adapted to special recesses in the projecting portion of the frame, so that they are free to be turned with the rods when it is desirable to adjust the diaphragm.

. In using my improved dress-suit case one of the lids or covers will be opened, and the portion of the central casing disclosed thereby Will be packed with the desired clothing and other articles until it is approximately full. The cover or lid will then be closed and locked. After this has been done the cover or lid on the opposite side of the case will be opened,and the diaphragm or partition 10 will be pressed down onto the clothing already in the case, and when properly adjusted said diaphragm may be held by the rods at the corners or by the other securing means noted. The space thus formed can then be filled with papers, documents, or other articles which might soil the clothing carried on the opposite side of the partition.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a dress-suit case or similar bag, the combination of the central body-section open on both sides, covers hinged to each side of said bod y-section and serving to close the same, and a movable diaphragm adjustably mounted within the body-section and accessible from both sides of the same.

2. In a dress-suit case or similar bag, the combination of the central section forming the body of the bag, covers hinged to each side of said section, an adjustable partition or diaphragm carried within said body-section, and retaining members for said diaphragm carried by the body-section, said members providing for the positioning of the diaphragm at any desired point within said body-section.

3. In a traveling-bag, the combination with the main body open on both sides, of sides hinged to said main body for closing the open portions thereof, a partition within said main body substantially parallel with said sides and adjustable toward and from one of said sides, substantially as described.

4. In a dress-suit case or similar bag, the combination of the central section forming the body of the bag, covers hinged to said section, a partition or diaphragm carried by said central section, and toothed rods carried by the central section and serving to retain the diaphragm in position, said rods being movable so as to engage and disengage the dia phragm or partition an d permit adjustment of the same.

5. In a dress-suit case or similar bag, a central section forming the body of the bag, covers hinged to each side of said section, a partition or diaphragm carried by said central section, and toothed rods carried at the corners of the central section and adapted to engage the partition or diaphragm, said rods being rotatable so as to engage and disengage the diaphragm or partition to permit adjustment of the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARVEY A. PIKE.

WVitnesses:

MURRAY C. Borne, Jos. H. KLEIN. 

